Dear brother,                           Concord April 2 -
(1838) [in pencil] 


             I returned to Concord yesterday - leaving
Mr Sewall much better - for several days we 
felt great anxiety lest inflammation might attack the 
brain - He had great heat in his head - The [Encephalitis?]
which it seems is apt to follow operations on the
head - came on, but it soon settled from the upper part 
of the forehead into the eyebrows  - eyes - nose, etc. +
though it was very uncomfortable - yet the danger
was removed - He was relieved by bleeding + leaching.
I saw him every day twice, for after settling it -
that I should watch, to relieve Caroline - I went in.
The oppression that he used to complain so much of -
is gone - + throughout his sickness he has shown no
tendency to spasms - This; the Drs all think is  
remarkable - for tho’ the cause is removed, yet 
the system doesn’t at once recover from an old habit. 
   The piece of skull bone taken away is about the size
of a cent.  The spot which was attached to the membrane of


[page break] 


of the brain was small + in the centre - The little particle 
of bone that protruded + was also attached - was very small
+ soon got enumbled away by handling - Dr Hayward
says that a fleshy substance will grow + protect the
spot there the bone has been removed. -  Perhaps you
have heard as I have that a piece of silver, was
formerly inserted in such cases - It seems this is
a mistake - Dr [Neacle?] told Caroline, that he had often
heard of it, but he couldn’t find there was any
foundation for the belief - tho’ it was general -
If used at all it must be outside, + as the flesh
wouldn’t heal with it in.  -   I had a letter 
from George  saturday - He was very much
interested as I knew he would be - Mother +
the children are doing well at Scituate - I cannot
yet tell how long it will be before Mr Sewall’s return.
Dear Caroline is well, + is so happy that this dreaded operation
is over, + like to prove a permanent good - Her
heart almost failed her for a time when he was
the sickest - He wasn’t prepared for so much after
danger - There were many circumstances attending the
operation, that made it very critical - + which might
have proved fatal - Mr Sewall was very firm -


[page break]


you know by yourself - how we have all felt.
I am glad you had it not long in anticipation.
    I am writing now in a sick chamber - my
friend [?] isn’t well. + I am head nurse to
day - Mrs Thoreau’s children are soon to 
leave her - Helen + Sophia’ to keep school in
Roxbury - John and Henry to go to the West - 
They purpose instructing there - but have no fixed
place - Love to Mary + the children from
        you affectionate sister P


I wrote George to Day


[page break]
[addressed to]


[stamped] CONCORD MAS. Apr 2      10
        
                Mr Dennis Ward
                                Spencer 
                                Mass.